Factors affecting the performance of different long terminal repeats in the retroviral vector

The long terminal repeat (LTR) of retrovirus contains the nucleotide sequences that control gene expression. Although several different LTRs have been used in the context of retroviral vector, the activity of the various LTRs has not yet been systematically compared for their level of gene expression. We evaluated the effect of four different LTRs on gene expression using luciferase, stem cell factor, and enhanced green fluorescence protein as reporter genes. LTRs tested in this study were derived from Moloney murine leukemia virus, myeloproliferative sarcoma virus, murine stem cell virus, and spleen focus-forming virus. It was found that the level of gene expression is affected by not only LTRs but also the transgenes and the cell types in which gene expression occurs. Furthermore, the presence of other nucleotide sequences such as the internal ribosome entry site (IRES)-neo cassette could also significantly affect gene expression. Our results suggested that the LTR should be chosen carefully, more or less on an empirical basis.     

Transient gene expression mediated by integrase-defective retroviral vectors

Nonintegrating retroviral vectors were produced from a Moloney murine leukemia virus (MoMLV)-based retroviral vector system by introducing a point mutation into the integrase (IN) gene of the packaging plasmid. The efficacy of IN-defective retroviral vectors was measured through the transient expression of ZsGreen or luciferase in human cell lines. The IN-defective retroviral vectors could transduce target cells efficiently, but their gene expression was transient and lower than that seen with the integrating vectors. IN-defective retroviral vector gene expression decreased to background levels in fewer than 10 days. Southern blot analysis of transduced K562 cells confirmed the loss of a detectable vector sequence by 15 days. The residual integration activity of the IN-defective vector was 1000- to 10,000-fold lower than that of the integrating vector. These results demonstrate that the IN-defective retroviral vectors can provide a useful tool for efficient transient gene expression targeting of primary hematopoietic stem cells and lymphoid cells.     

Highly efficient protein expression and purification using bacterial hemoglobin fusion vector

Recently developed bacterial hemoglobin (VHb) fusion expression vector has been widely used for the production of many target proteins due to its distinctive properties of expressing fusion protein with red color which facilitates visualization of the steps in purification, and increasing solubility of the target proteins. However, after intensive use of the vector, several defects have been found. In this report, we present a modified VHb fusion vector (pPosKJ) with higher efficiency, in which most of the defects were eliminated. First, it was found that thrombin protease often digests target protein as well as inserted thrombin cleavage site, so it was replaced by a TEV cleavage site for more specific cleavage of VHb from target protein. Second, a glycine-rich linker sequence was inserted between 6x his-tag and VHb to improve the affinity of 6x his-tag to Ni-NTA resin, resulting in higher purity of eluted fusion protein. Third, EcoRI and XhoI restriction sites located elsewhere in the vector were removed to make these restriction sites available for the cloning of target protein coding genes. A pPosKJ vector was fully examined with an anti-apoptotic BCL-2 family member of Caenorhabditis elegans, CED-9. A C-terminal VHb fusion expression vector (pPosKJC) was also constructed for stable expression of target proteins that may be difficult to express with an N-terminal fusion. Vaccinia-related kinase 1 (VRK1) was also successfully expressed and purified using the vector with high yield. Taken together, we suggest that the VHb fusion vector may be well suited for high-throughput protein expression and purification.     

SARS-CoV S蛋白基因的克隆及其与VSV-G融合表达载体的构建

为了解重症急性呼吸综合征冠状病毒(SARS—CoV)表面S蛋白的受体结合功能域及其在宿主细胞上的作用受体,应用PCR技术从SARS—CoV cDNA中克隆到S蛋白的全长基因,并构建了S蛋白与疱疹性口腔炎病毒胞膜蛋白(VSV—G)融合表达载体pVSV—G‘-SG,进而为制备含有SARS—CoVS蛋白膜外区的逆转录病毒假毒粒奠定了实验基础。     

Recombinant expression of mouse osteocalcin protein in Escherichia coli

Osteocalcin is the most abundant non-collagenous protein of bone. Recombinant mouse osteocalcin protein (mOC) that includes the highly conserved central domain for binding to hydroxyapatite (HA), a mineral component of bone, was expressed in Escherichia coli. Purified mOC protein exhibited a significant increase in HA adhesion and differentiation in osteoblast cells as well as binding to HA with high affinity.     

基于逆转录病毒载体的外源基因表达系统的评价和应用

逆转录病毒表达系统是基因治疗研究和RNA干扰技术广泛采用的外源基因表达系统。文中以增强型绿色荧光蛋白 (EGFP) 基因的表达水平和稳定性为指标,比较逆转录病毒表达载体pQCXIN和pcDNA3.1(+) 表达质粒介导的外源基因在HEK293细胞和CHO-K1细胞的表达效率。病毒感染HEK293细胞和CHO-K1细胞的相对荧光强度 (Relative fluorescence intensity,RFI) 均约为对应的质粒转染细胞的2倍。多轮反复感染逆转录病毒表达载体能有效提高HEK293细胞表达EGFP的效率。HEK293细胞经4轮病毒感染后的RFI值较1次病毒感染HEK293细胞的RFI值约提高2倍。此外,逆转录病毒表达载体介导的外源基因表达的稳定性优于质粒转染的外源基因表达。采用携带人重组活性蛋白C (Recombinant human activated protein C,rhAPC) 基因的pQCXIN和HEK293细胞进一步验证了逆转录病毒载体介导的外源基因表达效率,构建了rhAPC表达水平为10~15 mg/(106 cells·d) 的HEK293细胞系。研究结果表明,逆转录病毒表达系统是有应用价值的介导外源基因在哺乳动物细胞高效表达的技术途径。     

Kinetic and functional analysis of the heparin-binding domain of fibronectin

We have previously shown that the heparin-binding domain of fibronectin (FN-HBD) enhances cell adhesion and proliferation of osteoblasts. Here we demonstrated that FN-HBD binds to heparin with a K_D of 5 μM. Although, FN-HBD itself produces a modest effect on cell adhesion in the absence of central cell-binding domain (CCBD), FN-HBD significantly enhances cell adhesion and spreading activities by a cooperative mechanism of CCBD in MG63 cells (P < 0.05).     

梅花鹿S100A4 基因的克隆及融合蛋白的表达

为了研究梅花鹿S100A4 (S100 calcium binding protein A4)基因在鹿茸生长过程中的作用。用RT-PCR 法
从生茸骨膜细胞总RNA 中克隆了梅花鹿S100A4 基因,在NCBI 中对基因序列进行比对;将完整的基因序列与逆
转录病毒表达载体pLEGFP-C1 重组,获得了重组质粒pLEGFP-S100;用脂质体法将pLEGFP-S100 与pVSV-G (被
膜载体)共转染包装细胞GP2 - 293,获得重组病毒上清液,感染角柄骨膜细胞后逆转录病毒携带的基因进入宿
主细胞。结果显示:S100A4 基因是一个相对保守的基因,与多个物种的匹配度达到90% ;重组逆转录病毒载体
pLEGFP-S100 可以形成重组逆转录病毒粒子,将S100A4 基因导入靶细胞,并表达S100A4 与GFP (Green fluorescent
protein)的融合蛋白。     

携带猪γ干扰素基因逆转录病毒载体的构建及其在猪肾细胞(PK-15)中的表达

将梅山猪γ干扰素基因定向插入逆转录病毒载体pLXSN(neor),构建逆转录病毒重组质粒,利用脂质体介导法将重组质粒转染逆转录病毒包装细胞系PA317,转染细胞经含G418(400μg/mL)培养基筛选一周后获得稳定产毒的PA317细胞系。从细胞培养上清中提取RNA,进行RT-PCR检测,扩增到目的片段;将上清感染猪肾细胞(PK-15),经含G418(400μg/mL、600μg/mL和800μg/mL)的DMEM筛选一周,间接免疫荧光表明表达的猪γ干扰素主要锚定于细胞膜。收取PK-15细胞上清,在牛肾细胞(MDBK)上进行干扰素抗病毒活性检测,结果显示重组病毒表达的猪γ干扰素抗水泡性口炎病毒(VSV)的活性为1200IU/106cells.48h。以表达的干扰素处理PK-15细胞后,经细胞病变抑制法测定,重组猪γ干扰素可以抵抗口蹄疫病毒(FMDV)感染。试验结果表明猪γ干扰素基因已成功插入逆转录病毒基因组并在PK-15细胞中表达,表达的重组猪γ干扰素具有较强的抗病毒生物活性。     

Expression of the fusion protein recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor and leukemia inhibitory factor in a baculovirus vector system

A fusion gene coding human granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) cDNAs was inserted into the transfer vector pSXIVVI⁺ X3 with the control of Syn and XIV promoters. The Sf9 cells (Spodoptera frugiperda) were co-transfected with the recombinant plasmid and TnNPV DNA (Trichoplusia ni nuclear polyhedrosis virus DNA). The fusion protein recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) could be synthesized in cells infected with recombinant virus at a level of about 23% of their total cellular protein. Activity analysis of the fusion protein in infected cells revealed that it exhibited the dual activities of GM-CSF and LIF. Western blot analysis of the expressed fusion protein in infected larvae showed that the virus-mediated fusion protein, with a molecular weight of ∼35 kDa, is confirmed with immunoreactivity. Received 02 December 1998/ Accepted in revised form 07 May 1999     

一种高效、稳定的分泌型原核表达载体的构建及应用

以本室构建的原核表达载体pTO-T7为基础载体,PCR合成ompT引导序列,插入该载体多克隆位点上游,构建了分泌型原核表达载体pTO—OT。将2个外源基因克隆至pTO—OT,2个重组质粒在大肠杆菌中均得以高效表达,表达量为25％～30％。Western印迹分析证实了重组蛋白在大肠杆菌中表达后可被信号肽酶有效识别,切割后的重组蛋白具有良好的免疫学活性。对重组表达菌株的连续传代实验证实了该表达载体具有良好的遗传稳定性,显示了该原核表达载体在基因工程中的应用价值。     

Expression of a versatile DC-targeting fusion protein using an Adenovirus expression system

The importance of viral and tumour vaccines in eliciting elicit strong CD8+ T-cell responses has been widely acknowledged. Strategies exploring ways to enhance CD8+ T-cell responses have been developed, including targeting of vaccine antigens to dendritic cell (DC) receptors to access to the cross presentation pathway. Many DC endocytic receptors could potentially lead to augmented CD8+ T-cell responses if antigens were targeted directly to them, however only a few receptors have been explored because current targeting reagents are limited in the number of receptors that they are able to target. Consequently, this study describes the production and purification of a streptavidin-fusion protein that provides a versatile and efficient means to target antigen to more than one DC receptor. A model antigen gene, CMV pp65, and a streptavidin core gene, were spliced together using an overlap-extension PCR technique. The resulting fusion gene was cloned into a vector allowing expression in an Adenovirus-based expression system. Expression was verified and optimised before Ni-NTA affinity chromatography purification. Evaluation of pp65-streptavidin immunogenicity revealed that it elicits similar levels of CD8+ T-cell proliferative responses as pp65 and is able to effectively target specific DC receptors when used in addition to biotinylated receptor-specific antibodies. Additionally, enhancement of CD8+ T-cell responses was shown after directing pp65-strep to selected DC receptors in preliminary in vitro experiments. Collectively, this highlights the ease of production of a streptavidin-fusion protein, and demonstrates its use as a promising strategy to evaluate numerous DC receptors as potential targets in vaccine strategies.     

Enhanced cell-free protein expression by fusion with immunoglobulin Ckappa domain

While cell-free systems are increasingly used for protein expression in structural and functional studies, several proteins are difficult to express or expressed only at low levels in cell-free lysates. Here, we report that fusion of the human immunoglobulin kappa light chain constant domain (Ckappa) at the C terminus of four representative proteins dramatically improved their production in the Escherichia coli S30 system, suggesting that enhancement of cell-free protein expression by Ckappa fusion will be widely applicable.     

Production of extracellular domain of human tissue factor using maltose-binding protein fusion system

Making use of the physiological process of coagulation as an anti-tumor effector function may be beneficial in various coagulation-mediated diseases. Preclinical and clinical studies with novel tissue factor targeting constructs require that efficient procedures for preparing large quantities of pure truncated TF (tTF) become available. In this study, we described a simple and rapid on-column method for purifying large quantities of human tTF from Escherichia coli. The coding region of extracellular domain of tissue factor was linked to the 3(')-end of maltose-binding protein (MBP) gene. The fusion protein was expressed as soluble form after induction by isopropylthio-beta-D-galactoside (IPTG). MBP-tTF was purified by amylose affinity chromatography. MBP can be removed by digestion with factor Xa. Expression could represent 21.5% of the total soluble protein in E. coli, allowing approximately 15mg of highly purified protein to be obtained per liter of bacterial culture. The fusion protein was recognized in Western blot by anti-TF monoclonal antibody and the activity was confirmed by chromogenic assay. This MBP-fusion system permits large-scale functional expression and purification of recombinant soluble proteins, providing a basis for the future study of structure and function of tTF.     

High-level expression of single-chain Fv-Fc fusion protein in serum and egg white of genetically manipulated chickens by using a retroviral vector

We report here the generation of transgenic chickens using a retroviral vector for the production of recombinant proteins. It was found that the transgene expression was suppressed when a Moloney murine leukemia virus-based retroviral vector was injected into chicken embryos at the blastodermal stage. When a concentrated viral solution was injected into the heart of developing embryos after 50 to 60 h of incubation, transgene expression was observed throughout the embryo, including the gonads. For practical production, a retroviral vector encoding an expression cassette of antiprion single-chain Fv fused with the Fc region of human immunoglobulin G1 (scFv-Fc) was injected into chicken embryos. The birds that hatched stably produced scFv-Fc in their serum and eggs at high levels (approximately 5.6 mg/ml). We obtained transgenic progeny from a transgenic chicken generated with this procedure. The transgene was stably integrated into the chromosomes of transgenic progeny. The transgenic progeny also expressed scFv-Fc in the serum and eggs.     

Development of a murine prostatespecific 2-in-1 inducible bicistronic expression vector

Transgenic research often suffers from the lack of strong tissue specific promoters and the lack of suitable antibodies for transgene detection. We have now constructed a novel prostate specific 2-in-1 Tetracycline-off (Tet-off), bicistronic expression vector, designated PbTetOIE, for transgenic research. The vector allows potent induction as well as inducible suppression of transgene expression in the prostate epithelial cells, and also allows the detection of transgene expression at the cellular level through the detection of the internal enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) downstream of the transgene.